- 會議論文
明末蕅益智旭的淨土念佛思想
The Thought of Pure Land and Chanting Buddha's Name interpreted by Zhi-xu in Late Ming Dynasty
摘要
智旭以天台義理為基礎建構其淨土念佛的修學系統，適應不同根機行者的實踐所需。持名念佛有「事持」與「理持」之分，以圓教義理引導念佛為理持，是較為理想均衡的進路；即使無法採取理持，智旭也鼓勵事持方式，同樣能導向「一心不亂」。關於一心不亂，有「事一心」與「理一心」之別，以斷除惑障的層次作為判準，不論依憑事持或理持，已斷除見思惑而尚未能破無明惑的階段，為事一心；能開始分破無明惑見中道實相，則進入理一心，證得無生法忍。必須達到理一心層次，始為「念佛三昧」的成就。即使念佛無法達致一心不亂，仍可憑仗彌陀願力而帶業往生淨土，最終必得無生法忍。智旭帶入天台圓教思想非意在揭示念佛法門的精奧難解，而是嘗試聯結與貫通天台教觀與淨土行法，為天台圓教修證爭取可行的實現途徑。此外，也藉此真理領會支撐與推進淨土念佛的深層實踐，由念佛徑路以開顯究極真理，快速提升菩薩道的廣泛救濟能力。面對佛道修行在理想與現實之間的鉅大落差，智旭所關懷的，是為生命問題的超克尋求有效的出口，同時也能落實自覺覺他的成佛理想，淨土念佛與天台教觀的結合，可說是最為穩當的修學法式。智旭對念佛法門的詳實詮解，為各階行者施設合宜的操作方法，有利淨土佛教發揮其普攝三根的化導功能。
並列摘要
Zhi-xu developed his Pure Land practice system based on Tien-Tai theories and according to the need of various levels of practitioner. The methods of chanting Buddha's name divided into two kinds: practice according to phenomenon and practice according to truth. The first one is chanting Amita Buddha's name guided by the theory of perfect teaching and is a more ideal approach. Whenever the practice according to truth is too difficult to follow, the practice according to phenomenon is encouraged, which is endowed with the function of leading to the concentration of one mind also. As regards the concentration of one mind, there are concentration due to phenomenon and concentration due to truth, decided by the extend of the elimination of illusional obstacles. No matter what kind of method is adopted, concentration due to phenomenon is attained when the defilements of tree realms are eliminated, and the concentration due to truth could be obtained only when one has grasped the truth of Middle Way and realized the dharma endurance of non-arising. The realization of the Samādhi of chanting Buddha's name asks the practitioner to reach the stage of the concentration due to truth. Even though the practitioner does not obtain the concentration of one mind, he also can be reborn in Western Pure Land through the power of Amita Buddha's vows. Zhi-xu brought the Tien-Tai theories into Pure Land Buddhism was not aimed at showing the method of Pure Land as confound and incomprehensive, but to converge the practice methods of Tien-Tai and Pure Land, and find a possible way for the development of Tien-Tai's Perfect Teaching. Furthermore, through such understanding of the truth, the depth of the practice of chanting Buddha's name is promoted, and the great ability of saving sentient being in the bodhisattva path could be quickly obtained. Face with the great distance between the ideal of enlightenment and real life situation, what Zhi-xu concerned is to seek a true exit for the resolution of life problem and the actualization of the ideal of Buddhahood. The combination of the methods of Pure Land Buddhism and Tien-Tai meditation is a very effective path for Buddhist practice. The comprehensive interpretation of chanting Buddha's name given by Zhi-xu shows a kind of practice method which is adaptable to various strata of practitioner in Pure Land Buddhism.